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The Hope of Glory and Power For Today (Romans 5)

2008 in America heard a lot of talk about hope and change. But now, with the advantage of looking back, it was only a reminder that real hope and true change can and will only come through the King of kings and Lord of lords, Jesus Christ. Hope in the Bible is a different kind of hope than most people think of when they use the word. And deep, lasting change comes from Christ in us, not personal wisdom or strength.

Many times when we say “hope”, we mean it in a wishful kind of way. “I hope that things can change” or “I hope everything works out.” But hope in the Bible is used in a different sense. Hope in the Bible is the joyful and confident expectation of eternal salvation, resting in absolute assurance that God can and will do what He promised. In Romans 5:2 we “rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” We know that God is faithful and able to accomplish all that He has promised.

The word “change” isn’t used often in the Bible, but the idea is a big theme throughout. Change, in a biblical sense, is something that is effected by God. Personal change for the good only happens by the power of God indwelling a person. When a person turns their life over to God by placing their faith in who Jesus Christ is and what He did for all of humanity (in dying for our sins on the cross), that person is spiritually born again, or born “from above”. That means that they are born of the Spirit of God and God Himself takes up residence in the new believer’s spirit. The indwelling of the Holy Spirit is the only way for real and lasting change to occur in a person’s life. As believers, we have access to the power that created all things, and the power that rose Jesus from the dead. But, we have to appropriate that power in our lives in order to have victory over the sin that still attempts to work through our mortal bodies; today, tomorrow and for the rest of our earthly lives.

How to receive the hope of eternal life was the general subject of Romans, chapters 1-4. The assurance of our salvation is the general subject matter of Romans 5-8, but in substantiating those truths, Paul also shows us how to live changed lives, by giving ourselves to God and not to the sinful desires still present in our mortal bodies. At the moment that we are justified (made right) with God by faith, God also begins the process of setting us apart and progressively changing us from within by the power of His Spirit in us. He is changing us, more and more, into the image of His Son. This process is called sanctification. To have consistent victory over sin, to be pleasing to God in our daily lives and to have powerful ministries for Him, and by Him, we must learn to fully lean on Christ and cooperate with Him throughout this lifelong process.

So, here in chapter 5, Paul transitions from justification by faith to our assurance of salvation in Christ. And, over the next few chapters, he will give us great insights into our sanctification, as well. The fifth chapter of Romans is a wonderful summary of the first four chapters, and an insightful introduction to the basic subject matter of the next three (chapters 6-8). It is a pivotal chapter in the book of Romans, and an essential chapter to understand for the Christian’s life today. It summarizes our sure hope of future glory and introduces the fact that now, in Christ, grace abounds (as opposed to sin), and that grace reigns through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Jesus is our hope of glory and in Him alone is found our power for today.

 © Brian Farrell

To read the complete article or to find other works by this author, please visit http://ph16.com/cbcstudies.html

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» left by Anonymous (2 years 62 days ago.)

Hi Brian, thank you for sharing. This piece is filled with practical information and reminds us that all things in our life as Christians is based on what God does when we allow him access to our heart and our will. I look forward to reading the complete study. May it encourage new readers and new Christians to go back and read through the first four chapters of Romans and then continue with this study. Blessings to you! The move went great. We are settling pretty well. I am still on the hunt for a job, and still do not have my computer fixed. But I am managing ok, thanks for your prayers. Teresa

 

 

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» left by Brian Farrell⁽²⁴⁵⁾ (2 years 61 days ago.)

So happy to hear the move went well. The Lord has a wonderful plan for you and your family. His ways are not our ways, that's for sure! All things will work out for good and in His time because you are His.

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» left by Marijo Phelps⁽¹⁹⁹⁾ (2 years 61 days ago.)

Ah, Brian,I think we will be only totally satisfied when Jesus comes to rule and reign... MARANATHA - come QUICKLY! Thanks for writing this and sharing it with us readers!

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» left by Brian Farrell⁽²⁴⁵⁾ (2 years 60 days ago.)

Amen! O how glorious to contemplate.

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